Adages, the oral transfer of knowledge between generations
|
Here you will find a list of over seven hundred adages people use everyday to improve their lives. An adage is a short saying that transmits wisdom. Before people knew how to read and write, they passed knowledge by word of mouth. The word adage comes from Latin adagium (saying), formed by the prefix ad- (to, toward, about) and agium (from the verb agio, I say).
;- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. (Thank you: GdL)
- Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clear to the bone.
- Beggars can't be choosers.
- Better a certain enemy than a doubtful friend.
- Better late than never.
- Better late than never, but better never late. (Thank you: James 1941)
- Better now than later.
- Better poverty without care, than riches with.
- Better safe than sorry (Thank you: Greg)
- Better the devil you know than the one you don't.
- Better to be pissed off,than pissed on.
- Better to be thought a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubt. (Thank you: L J J)
- Better to end with a bang .
- Beware of the law of unintended consequences.
- Beware the dog with amber eyes (Thank you: minda)
- Big man big cock, little man all cock. (Thank you: Kendrick Bateson)
- Birds of a feather flock together. (People hang around with people like themselves - Thank you: Pauline)
- Bless your little pointed head.
- Blood is thicker than water.
- Boiling a frog. (You can not stick a frog in boiling water, because it will sense the temperature and jump out. However, you can boil the frog if you stick it in cold water, and then raise the temperature very slowly until it boils.)
- Boys (or girls) Rule (because they can - Thank you: g)
- Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. (Thank you: Terry Pratchett quote)
- Bull in a China Shop. (Clumsy - Cannot happen literally)
- Buy the ticket, take the ride. (Do not cop-out, even if getting involved in something may get you way over your head)
- Camel's nose. (Don't let the camel stick his nose in the tent, because the next thing you know, his whole body will be inside the tent, and there will be no room for you)
Total: 816
 
|
|
|